Fit a kitchen fire blanket to a solid brick or block wall

Fit a wall-mounted fire blanket bracket into solid brick or block, near the cooker but not above it.

FB-01Choose the right spotPick a wall near the cooker but not directly above it, so you can reach the blanket without leaning over flames. Mount it about 1.5m from the floor, on your route out of the kitchen rather than trapped behind the door. Keep it clear of steam from a kettle or extractor, which can rust the bracket over time.

FB-02Check for cables and pipes before you drillCables and pipes can run almost anywhere in a wall, even outside the usual safe zones, so run a detector over the spot first. Detectors can still miss things, so treat the wall as live until proven otherwise. Find your stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink) and check it turns freely, and if you have any doubt, isolate the relevant circuit at the consumer unit before you drill.

FB-03Mark and drill the fixing holesHold the bracket against the wall, level it, and mark the screw holes with a pencil. Drill with a 6mm masonry bit to a depth of 40mm-45mm, checking that fine brick or block dust comes out, not timber dust or metal swarf. If the dust looks wrong, stop and re-check what the wall is made of before going further.

1 each · Masonry drill bit, 6mm

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FB-04Fit wall plugs and screw on the bracketPush a 6mm wall plug into each hole until it sits flush with the surface. Screw the bracket on using 4mm x 40mm screws, tightening until firm but not overtightened, which can crack the plug. Give the bracket a firm tug once fitted to check it doesn't move.

1 pack · Wall plugs (Rawlplug), 6mm, pack of 10

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1 pack · Screws, 4mm x 40mm, pack of 10

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FB-05Hang the blanket and test the releaseClip the fire blanket into its bracket following the pack instructions. Pull the release tab or straps to check the blanket comes free easily, then refit it. Everyone in the house should know it's there and how it releases, before it's ever needed in a hurry.

1 each · Fire blanket with wall bracket kit

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FB-06Tidy upVacuum up brick dust and any drill swarf straight away, especially from worktops near food. Wipe the wall down and check the bracket is dust-free so the blanket slides out cleanly later. Dispose of packaging and check the bracket one more time before you finish.

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